Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void Audiobook

" I liked this book. The writing style is very casual and she explains everything in a pretty idiot proof manner. Not for those who don't want to think about body functions! It's generally witty but sometimes I wish she assumed that I knew more stuff... Overall, would recommend to a friend. "

" I chose this book more out of an appreciation of the author than the subject matter. I thought that "Stiff" was almost a five star book for the first 2/3rds. This time around, it felt like Roach was really going out of her way to explore the random and wacky aspects of space travel. Trying a little too hard. Regardless, it's pretty interesting. "

" Thanks, Carla, for recommending this eye-opening book. "

" LOVE Mary Roach. In this book, Mary Roach describes many of the issues NASA faces in sending people to Mars. Very interesting--and very funny. "

" so much fun! well-written, entertaining, and popcorn-ily educational. extra points for amazing footnotes! "

" Mary Roach makes science so very interesting and funny! "

" A kindred spirit. Roach has dug up the interesting behind the scenes details of human space exploration that I find so fascinating. I did my own searching while writing my sci-fi novel for kids, Shanghaied to the Moon, including finding the tid-bit about the flag being blown over by the Eagle's lift-off from the moon. "

" Roach does it again: Asking the questions one dare not ask (Do people have sex in space? Do they really like that food they use? Do they ever go batty up there?) while making it also an informative work about the science and practicality behind space exploration. I love, love, love her work. "

" Once again, Mary Roach entertains, educates and enlightens with this book. Curious indeed, though not as intriguing as her previous book Bonk. The bottom line: some rather crazy and bizarre stuff is done to learn about space and, ultimately, to enhance our lives here on Earth. "

" Fascinating and hilarious. Had me laughing quite a bit. The chapters on space elimination and space nutrition were golden (the mission transcripts are a particular delight). Great read. "

" An interesting look at the logistics of space travel. It is possible it spent a little too much time on the logistics of eating and, um, associated activities. "

" I sometimes find Roach's jokes to be intrusive (Stiff), but they weren't as annoying this time. Plus, the information was really interesting. A mix of the history of space flight, and were the industry is heading next. "

" It was well enough written, but really did not deal with the topic the book title suggests. It was more of a history of the NASA Apollo years than any real forward looking study of how to actually get to, and survive on, Mars. "

" Mary Roach has a gift for making science interesting. She has a great sense of humor and a very odd way of thinking about things. She tends to ask the REALLY awkward questions that many of us have thought about, but which none of us would actually dare utter aloud. "

" This book was witty and fact-filled. I laughed constantly and left with a much better understanding of the complexity -- and sometimes the oddities -- involved in research and preparation for human space travel. Well worth the read, even if you are not a space nut! "

" Would've been a great read if it weren't for all the footnotes. "

" Great book. It was interesting enough to be able to read parts of this book to my non-science husband. Many, many funny parts and things that are just not usually discussed. "

" Full of facts that are wonderful and interesting but also many that are not. Space travel puts daily experiences in a different perspective, makes them less self-evident. "

" This book is awesome! Once you sit down to read, it will be hard to put the book down. It is so well written that you feel like you are sitting with the author and having a conversation. The humor reads like an Erma Bombeck novel. "

" Too much poop. :-P "

" Abandoned sadly. But I've passed I to my a space-obsessed friend who will hopefully like it more. I really enjoyed Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers though, so I'll keep reading her books. "

" Mary Roach is my favorite person to learn about random things from. "

" Excellent book. A page turner non-fiction book. Extremely funny. "

" An accessible look at the space program that goes beyond the Apollo missions. Read this before the last space shuttle takes off this year and realize the incredible accomplishments from the first animals in space to today's astronauts. "

" Amazing! This book is part history of aeronautics, part sassy observation of the rare life of an astronaut. Loved it so much! It's surprisingly very funny! "

" Fantastic. Funny. Loses sight at times of the Mars focus, and *way* too many footnotes¹, but well worth the time, entertaining, and informative. Will definitely read more by the author.¹ Seriously. The footnotes are actually worthwhile enough to just be included in the text. "

" Did not finish. Def do not want to be an astronaut from what I did read. Would not reccommend but for someone who has an interest in the glossed over aspects of being and training to be an astronaut. "

" Interesting stuff about traveling in space that no one talks about. "

" Man, I really need to finish this book at some point. "

" Fascinating! However, it left me with no desire whatsoever to participate in space travel. "

" I think this is a must-read for anyone who wants to be an astronaut or just admires them. "

" A+. as usual, roach leaves me laughing and realizing there are many aspects of what she's discussing that i've never even considered before. i feel both amused and more informed. "

" Not as good as "Stiff," but that same distinctive humor. "

" It was pretty long, considering it was a book completely de-glorifying space. It was really interesting, but "space is more boring than you think" seemed to be the theme... "